Nantawarrina IPA Vegetation Chapter · Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey MAMMALS D. Armstrong1 Records Available Prior to the 2008 Survey 55 1 Science Resource Centre, Department

Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

MAMMALS D. Armstrong1

Records Available Prior to the 2008 Survey

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1 Science Resource Centre, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001.

Mammal data was available from four earlier Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) surveys which had some sampling effort within the Marqualpie Land System (MLS). These sources provided a total of 186 records of 16 mammal species (Table 18). These surveys were: • BS3 – Cooper Creek Environmental Association

Survey (1983): 9 sites. Due to the extreme variability in sampling effort and difficulty in identifying site boundaries, this is simply the number of locations for which mammal records were available.

• BS41 – Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Fauna Monitoring Program (1989-92): 10 sites.

• BS48 – Rare Rodents Project: one opportunistic sighting record from 2000.

• BS69 – Stony Deserts Survey (1994-97): 3 sites. An additional 20 records of seven mammal species were available from the SA Museum specimen collection. Amongst these were three records of Rattus villosissimus (Long-haired Rat), which was not recorded during the above early biological surveys. Therefore, a total of 206 records of 17 mammal species were obtained from within the MLS prior to this survey (Table 18). The location of all sites sampled on these and the 2008 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey are shown in Figure 75. 2008 Survey - Site Based Data This survey collected 330 records of 24 mammal species (Table 18) from 32 standard DENR format survey sites (Owens 2000). Despite much of the data from earlier surveys being collected at fixed trap sites, the sampling effort at these sites was variable and not directly comparable to that of this survey. For example, the 10 sites used from the Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Survey were sampled annually at various times during four consecutive years, with two trap lines of five pitfall and 10 Elliot

traps (Elliots were not used during the first year), compared to the two trap lines of six pitfalls and 15 Elliots, as is the standard for DENR surveys. The three Stony Deserts Survey sites were located peripheral to the MLS and in habitat that is unrepresentative of the dunefield, which dominates the survey area. Therefore, only data collected at the 32 comparable effort survey sites sampled in 2008 is included in this section. All other data is treated as supplementary and discussed in later sections. The 24 species recorded at sites consisted of five native rodents, five small dasyurids (carnivorous/ insectivorous marsupials), five insectivorous bats, the Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and Dingo (Canis lupus dingo), and six introduced or feral species. As is the case throughout much of Australia, particularly the arid zone, critical weight range (35g – 5.5kg) native mammal species, are now largely absent (Morton 1990). The one exception in the MLS is the single record of the Short-beaked Echidna.

Figure 74. Sandy Inland Mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) was the most frequently recorded species on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. Canty).

Table 18. Summary of all Marqualpie Land System mammal records and their sources.

Source Cooper Creek

Della and Marqualpie

Rare Rodents

(OP)

Stony Deserts

SA Museum

2008 Survey (Sites)

2008 Survey (OP)

Total

Records 27 85 1 73 20 330 48 584 Species 7 5 1 11 7 24 9 24


Figure 75. Location of survey sites where mammals have been sampled in the Marqualpie Land System. The average number of mammal records per site was 13.8. By far the most frequently encountered species was Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse), which was recorded at 24 of the 32 (75%) survey sites and accounted for 117, or over one third (35.5%), of identified mammal records at sites. The native P. hermannsburgensis and the similar looking introduced Mus musculus (House Mouse) accounted for 52.4% of all mammal records at sites, with both occurring at over half of the 32 survey sites. The only other species recorded at more than half of all sites was the Dingo, at 17 sites. In most instances Dingo presence was based on sightings of their tracks rather than of the animals themselves. More than half (15 of 24) the species at sites were recorded at five or less sites, mostly by single records at each site, representing a total of only 38 or 11.5% of all records (Table 19). Seven species were recorded at only one site each and by only one or two individual records. The average number of species recorded at survey sites was 4.5. The lowest was two at MON00501 on a stony plain in Maireana astrotricha (Low Blue-bush) Low Very Open Shrubland on sandy clay loam. The highest was eight species (four feral and four native) at BLO00701. This was in an interdune corridor of Corymbia terminalis (Bloodwood) Low Open Woodland with Aristida contorta (Curly Wire-grass) dominated understorey, on loamy sand.

The average number of identified mammal records at sites was 10.3. The lowest was two at MON00501, described above. The highest was 32 records at KES00301 on a sandy dune crest vegetated with Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex) Open Hummock Grassland. However, these records were largely of the two most abundant species, both small rodents, 18 Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse) and 10 Mus musculus (House Mouse). In evaluating the mammal records collected at sites and the subsequent statistics calculated and shown above, it should be taken into consideration that another 60 records were collected which were not identified to species. These were 56 small rodents, two small bats and two other small mammals that were either rodents or dasyurids. In the case of the bats this situation was created by failure to collect specimens that could be later examined to confirm identity. The rodents were attributed to Pseudomys bolami (Bolam’s Mouse), a species that was several hundred kilometres out of its known distribution, and none of the specimens collected and attributed to this species were correctly identified in the field. The seven specimens collected were in fact all later identified as Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse), but due to other misidentifications in the field of P. hermannsburgensis with Leggadina forresti (Forrest’s Mouse) and potentially Mus musculus (House Mouse), the remaining records of the anomalous species could

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Table 19. Summary of mammal records at sites in descending frequency order.

Species Name Common Name Sites Records Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse 24 117 Mus musculus * House Mouse 18 56 Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart 13 31 Canis lupus dingo Dingo 17 20 Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat 4 17 Oryctolagus cuniculus * Rabbit (European Rabbit) 12 15 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Mouse) 10 15 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart 8 13 Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse 6 8 Vulpes vulpes * Fox (Red Fox) 5 6 Felis catus * Cat (Feral Cat) 5 5 Camelus dromedarius * One-humped Camel (Arabian Camel) 3 4 Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui 4 4 Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Bos taurus * Cattle (European Cattle) 2 2 Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo 2 2 Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) 1 2 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 1 2 Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat 1 2 Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat 2 2 Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat 1 1 Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse 1 1 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale (Paucident Planigale) 1 1 Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna 1 1 Total 32 330

Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species. not be directly attributed to this most common species. They have therefore been excluded from any further evaluation of the available mammal data for the MLS. Opportunistic Data Although there were only 48 opportunistic records of nine mammal species collected during the 2008 survey (Table 18), they include a significant contribution to the information available on Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo). Opportunistic records provided the majority (22 of 27) of all records for the species in the MLS, including sightings of four separate small groups. All nine species recorded opportunistically were also recorded at survey sites. Combined Site and Opportunistic Data The combined site and opportunistic data from this survey provided 378 of 584 (65%), or just under two thirds, of all available mammal records for the MLS. It also provided a disproportionately greater amount of records of several larger species, in particular Canis lupus dingo (Dingo), Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo), Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) and most feral species, including Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel), Felis catus (Feral Cat), Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) and Vulpes vulpes (Fox). The 2008 survey included the only record of Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) and the first records of Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel) and Vulpes vulpes (Fox) for the MLS.

Figure 76. The majority of Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) records for the area were collected opportunistically away from sites during the 2008 survey (Photo: DENR).

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It appears that more effort was made in recording tracks and traces of larger animals than in previous visits to the area, as the vast majority of records of these larger species were of scats, tracks or diggings. Unfortunately, the increased effort in this method of data collection was restricted to only one of the two field groups. Therefore, data relating to the species named immediately above, for which tracks and traces are likely to be a significant proportion of records, must be interpreted with this bias in mind, as they are likely to under-represent the situation. In total, seven mammal species, including two introduced or feral species, previously unrecorded within the MLS were recorded during the 2008 survey (Table 20).

Figure 77. The first records of Inland Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens balstoni) in the Marqualpie Land System were collected on the 2008 survey (Photo: A. Robinson).

Table 20. Summary of records of species first recorded for the Marqualpie Land System during the 2008 survey.

Species Name Common Name OP Recs SU Recs Total Records Camelus dromedarius * One-humped Camel 4 4 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale (Paucident Planigale) 1 1 Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Mouse) 15 15 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 2 2 4 Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna 1 1 Vulpes vulpes * Fox (Red Fox) 1 6 7

Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species. Species Summary Prior to this survey of the MLS, the available records for the area provided evidence of the occurrence of 17 mammal species, 13 native and four introduced. The 2008 survey obtained a far greater number of additional records, representing 65% of those currently available, and increasing the known mammal species for the MLS to 24 (Appendix 7). Of these, 18 are native and six are introduced or feral species. The native species consisted of:- • one monotreme, • five species of dasyurid (carnivorous/insectivorous

marsupial), • one species of macropod, • five species of rodent, • five species of insectivorous bats, and • the dingo. The introduced feral mammal species groupings were:- • two ungulates, • two carnivores, • one rodent, and • one lagomorph. A list of all mammal species recorded at sites during the 2008 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey is provided in Appendix 8.

Discussion of Combined Mammal Records Based on the higher taxonomic groupings of Order or Family the 24 species of mammals recorded for the MLS can be divided into eight major taxonomic groups (Table 21). Three of these groupings contain only introduced or feral species that arrived in Australia in recent times. Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates) Based on the meagre number of records available, neither of the two introduced ungulate species recorded for the MLS appears to be at all common. However, significant rain prior to the 2008 survey, producing multiple watering opportunities is expected to have resulted in the dispersal of these large mobile species, resulting in few sightings. Under the multiple use management framework of the Innamincka Regional Reserve, pastoral production is one of several ongoing economic activities. As such, Bos taurus (Cattle) are expected to be encountered within the MLS, although they would generally be more numerous around the artificial watering points in the peripheral areas than within the dunefield which dominates the area. There are only five available records of the species within the area, mainly of tracks and scats, including records of tracks at two survey sites during the 2008 survey. These records are from three separate surveys

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Table 21. Mammal species groups (Order or Family) for the Marqualpie Land System, showing proportion from each group, in descending order of frequency.

Number of Records Mammal Group Pre 2008 2008 Survey Total Rodentia (Rodents) 111 53.9% 203 53.7% 314 53.8% Dasyuromorphia (Carnivorous marsupials) 41 19.9% 52 13.7% 93 15.9% Chiroptera (Bats) 41 19.9% 30 7.9% 71 12.2% Carnivora (Carnivores) * 4 1.8% 45 11.9% 49 8.4% Macropodidae (Kangaroos, wallabies and tree-kangaroos) 3 1.5% 24 6.4% 27 4.6% Lagomorpha * (Rabbits, hares and relatives) 3 1.5% 17 4.5% 20 3.3% Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates) * 3 1.5% 6 1.6% 9 1.6% Monotremata (Platypus and echidnas) 0 0% 1 0.3% 1 0.2% Total 206 100% 378 100% 584 100%

Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species. extending back to 1983, but their low recording rate could easily be the result of survey members failing to record them, as they could be ignored as domestic stock, rather than recorded as wild or feral species. On the other hand Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel) appear to be in genuinely low numbers within the MLS and may be a relatively recent arrival there. The four records collected during the 2008 survey were of tracks at three survey sites, and were the first records of the species from within the MLS. Management of their numbers is mentioned as an action in the Innamincka Regional Reserve Management Plan (National Parks and Wildlife Service 1988) and the 10 year review of Innamincka Regional Reserve (Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs [DEHAA] 1998). However, they do not appear in sections of these documents that detail problems created by other significant feral pest species. Badman (1989) stated that small mobs of camels inhabited the sand hills of the Strzelecki and Tirari Deserts and sometimes along the Cooper Creek, but were too few to have any significant effect on the vegetation at that time. Kemper (1990), citing information from Animal and Plant Control SA, stated that within the north-eastern deserts, the Camel was restricted to sandy areas of the western Simpson Desert, extending down to Lake Eyre, and the Strzelecki Desert around Moomba and Innamincka. This description appears to exclude the Marqualpie Land System. The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia conducted a biological survey of the far north east of the state from 2nd to 30th August 1975. Despite visiting several pastoral properties in the area, including apparently travelling from Cordillo Downs Station to the north, through the MLS to Innamincka to the south, the report on this survey contains observations of other feral species, but no mention of sightings of camels (Foale 1975).

Figure 78. One-humped Camels (Camelus dromedarius) appear to occur in relatively low numbers in the Marqualpie Land System (Photo: A. Robinson). During early 2009 an aerial control program of large feral species encountered few camels within the Innamincka Regional Reserve. In addition to being close to the eastern extreme of their current distribution, it is likely that camel numbers in the area are kept low by pastoralists as a measure to protect fencing and other infrastructure from damage (T. Fraser, pers comm, 2009). Carnivora (Carnivores) Although there is some dispute as to whether the dingo should be considered a native or introduced Australian species, having arrived in pre-European times 3,500-4,000 years ago, all three carnivore species recorded within the MLS (Dingo, Fox and Feral Cat) are widespread throughout the arid zone and were deliberately introduced to the continent by humans. Small numbers of sightings of each of the three species were made during the 2008 survey, but the majority of records were of tracks and traces. As stated earlier, only one of the two field groups made a concerted effort to collect this type of data, so statistics quoted regarding these and other species for which tracks and traces are likely to be a significant proportion of records, although giving a generally accurate reflection, may be an under-representation of the situation, and must be interpreted with this bias in mind.

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The presence of Canis lupus dingo (Dingo) was recorded at 17 of the 32 survey sites during the 2008 survey; by tracks at 16 and a sighting at one. Similarly, Vulpes vulpes (Fox) was recorded at five sites, four by tracks and one by sighting of an animal. Felis catus (Feral Cat) was recorded at five sites; four by tracks and one was trapped at a separate site. No records of Foxes had been made during earlier surveys. That this is an accurate reflection of their abundance is unlikely, due to an apparent lack of effort in searching for tracks and other traces and similarly low numbers of records of the other two carnivores (three Dingos and one Feral Cat) during earlier surveys. However, based on the site-based information available from the 2008 survey, Dingos appear relatively more abundant in the area than Foxes and Feral Cats. It is possible that the same Dingo may have visited more than one site, though the 16 sites searched for tracks extended over a range of 30 kilometres. This may also be the case for Fox and Feral Cat records. Opportunistic observations reflect the same pattern, with 10 of Dingos (four seen, three heard, two tracks, one seen spotlighting), three Feral Cats (all tracks) and one Fox (tracks).

Figure 79. Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) presence was detected at 17 of the 32 survey sites sampled for the 2008 survey (Photo: D. Hopton).

Chiroptera (Bats) Trapping for bats at survey sample sites is not possible in a standardised manner, nor is it comparable between sites. Specific locations are targeted at which the chances of catching bats are maximised. These may be amongst trees in flower (particularly eucalypts), which attract the insects upon which bats feed; small bodies of water in creeks, dams or open topped tanks; flyways through denser vegetation; or trees with multiple hollows in which bats may shelter. Not all survey sites have such features. Where possible, these features are sampled at survey sites, but when such features are encountered away from sites, they are sampled opportunistically using harp traps and mist nets. During this survey bats were trapped or identified by their distinctive audible calls at seven survey sites and

four opportunistic locations. All five bat species recorded for the MLS by these methods are Australian endemic species, roosting principally in tree hollows, and are widespread, particularly within the arid zone. A summary of bat species records in the MLS is provided in Table 22. Thirty nine of the 41 bat records collected within the MLS prior to the 2008 survey came from site PC00601, one of three sites within the survey area which were part of the Stony Deserts Biological Survey during November 1996. These were 24 records of Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat), 10 of Chalinolobus gouldii (Gould’s Wattled Bat) and five of Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Bat). This site was in atypical habitat for the MLS, near its eastern edge in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) Open Forest along a sandy stream channel.

Table 22. Summary of bat species records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre-2008 2008 Survey Total Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat 10 1 11 Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat 24 17 41 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 4 4 Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat 6 3 9 Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat 1 5 6 Total 41 30 71 Total as % of all records 19.9% 7.9% 12.2%

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Figure 80. Ten of the 11 records of Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) were recorded at one Red Gum site peripheral to the dunefields of the Marqualpie Land System (Photo: A. Robinson). All records of Tadarida australis (White-striped Freetail-bat) were of their audible call, whereas the other four species were recorded as caught in traps or nets. The White-striped Freetail-bat is rarely caught, as they do not manoeuvre very well, so tend to forage in open areas and above the canopy (Churchill 1998), where they are out of reach of both harp traps and mist nets. As with the pre-2008 survey records, Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat), was again the most frequently recorded bat species during this survey. It was recorded at four survey sites and accounted for over half (17 of 30) of all bat records collected.

Scotorepens balstoni (Inland Broad-nosed Bat) was the only species recorded in 2008 that had not been recorded by earlier surveys within the MLS. Two specimens were collected at site KEN00501, in Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low Open Woodland along a creekline with a shrubby understorey of Acacia spp. and Senna spp. Another two were collected at a flood-out area with emergent Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah), approximately five kilometres north of KEN00501. Both locations are within a few kilometres of Cuttapirie Waterhole. Anabat bat detectors (Titley Electronics) were used to record high frequency bat calls at 13 of the 32 survey sites. These were BLO00101-0601, BLO00801 and MON00201-00701 (Table 23). Recordings were collected for a single night at each of these sites. A total of 5,724 calls were recorded. Of these only 396 (6.9%) were adequately identifiable to be allocated to a particular bat species. Almost 80% of all calls were recorded at two sites. The massive number of calls at these sites resulted from the recorder sensitivity level being set too high, which subsequently created difficulties in separating out and identifying individual calls. The average number of identified calls per site was 30.5 (Table 23), but varied from one at MON00501 to 76 at BLO00101. The average number of identified calls for the four bat species recorded at sites was 99, and varied very little, from the lowest of 82 across nine sites for Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Bat) to the highest of 111 across 10 sites for Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat). The Anabat recordings confirmed the presence of an additional species, Mormopterus sp.3 (Inland Free-tailed Bat). Although it was recorded at 10 sites and accounted for over a quarter (26.5%) of all identified calls, it was not caught in traps. This is probably due to its limited manoeuvrability in flight, which causes it to forage high in the air and also on the ground, placing it generally out of range of traditional bat trapping methods. This additional bat species has not been included in any other statistics or tables within this report due to its currently unclear taxonomical status. Biochemical study of Mormopterus by Adams et al. (1988) revealed several as yet not fully described species. Work towards this process is currently nearing completion (T. Reardon, pers comm, 2009).

Table 23. Anabat records at survey sites during the Marqualpie Land System Survey 2008.

Bloodwood Bore Sites (BLO) Montkeleary Creek Sites (MON) Species Name 01 02 03 04 05 06 08 02 03 04 05 06 07 Total Calls

Chalinolobus gouldii 14 17 8 15 4 6 10 16 1 7 98 Nyctophilus geoffroyi 42 15 4 4 13 4 8 11 1 9 111 Scotorepens greyii 4 26 4 3 1 22 3 7 12 82 Mormopterus sp.3 16 7 13 29 4 9 5 4 13 5 105 No. of calls identified 76 65 29 51 14 4 10 45 32 23 1 41 5 396 Total no. of calls 152 168 133 142 76 40 34 130 142 1453 3033 164 57 5724 % calls identified 50 39 22 3 18 10 29 35 23 1.6 0.03 25 8.8 6.92

Note: No calls recorded at sites BLO00701, MON00101 and MON00801. Number of calls cannot be used as a guide to abundance as one animal could be responsible for many calls. These figures are therefore only useful as a guide to activity in an area.

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Dasyuromorphia (Carnivorous marsupials) Five species of small insectivorous native marsupials of the family Dasyuromorphia, often referred to as dasyurids, are known from within the MLS. They represent 15.9% of all mammal records from the area (Table 24). The two smallest species, both planigales, had not been recorded prior to the 2008 survey. Planigales and Ningaui were basically unknown species until the advent of pitfall trapping in the 1960s (Kemper 1990). In fact, Ningaui ridei (Wongai Ningaui) was not described as a species until 1975, and not recorded from the north-east of SA until the work of Reid and Gillen (1988), who trapped it on the western side of the Coongie Lakes, about 50 km west of the MLS during the summer of 1986-87. At this time it had a conservation rating of Rare in South Australia (Kemper 1985). Triodia spp. (Spinifex) hummocks (which provide diurnal shelter) on sandy soils are a key habitat component of the three currently recognised Ningaui species. Ningaui ridei is widespread in such habitats throughout arid central Australia. Single specimens were trapped at four sites during this survey. Three of these were in Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex) Hummock Grassland, whilst the fourth was in Zygochloa paradoxa (Sandhill Canegrass) Open Hummock Grassland. Hard Spinifex was also dominant at the six Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Fauna Monitoring sites (1989-92) at which Ningaui ridei was recorded.

Figure 81. Wongai Ningaui (Ningaui ridei) were trapped at four sites during the 2008 survey, all in either Hard Spinifex (Triodia basedowii) or Sandhill Canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) (Photo: P. Canty). Conversely, the two species of Planigale, which were first recorded for the MLS during the 2008 survey,

prefer clay soils with deep cracks in which they shelter during the day. Individual Planigale ingrami (Long- tailed Planigale) were trapped at two sites in floodouts and one in a playa/pan, all on clay soils, while the single Planigale gilesi (Giles’ Planigale) record was also from a playa/pan with clay soil. Planigale gilesi remained relatively unknown until pitfall trapping was introduced and was not described as a species until 1972. Planigale ingrami is the smallest of all marsupials. Adult males, the larger of the sexes, weigh an average of just 4.6 grams (Fisher 2008). In South Australia the ranges of the two species overlap only in the far north-east. This probably also applies to adjacent areas of south-west Queensland where similar suitable habitat occurs. Whilst P. gilesi is found throughout south-western Queensland, western New South Wales and north-eastern South Australia, P. ingrami is a northern species which is at the southern extreme of its range within the MLS. The remaining two Dasyurid species are relatively common, and the most widespread of the 20 members of the sub-family Sminthopsinae (Dunnarts and Kultarr). Both species inhabit a wide variety of vegetation associations and soil types. This is clearly illustrated by the variation in the landform element of the sites at which the two species were recorded during the 2008 survey (Table 25). However, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Fat-tailed Dunnart) has a preference for open grasslands and shrublands mainly over the southern half of the continent, and has adapted to farmland habitats in southern parts of its range. On the other hand, Sminthopsis macroura (Stripe-faced Dunnart) occupies the broadly arid regions of central and northern Australia.

Figure 82. The Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) was recorded at 13 of the 32 survey sites sampled on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. Canty).

Table 24. Summary of dasyurid records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre-2008 This Survey Total Records Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart 6 31 37 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart 19 13 32 Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui 16 4 20 Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale 1 1 Total 41 52 93 Total as % of all records 7% 8.9% 15.9%

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Their relative abundance is clear from the numbers of records of the two species obtained during the 2008 survey. There were 13 records of S. crassicaudata from eight (25%) of the 32 survey sites and 31 of S. macroura from 13 (40%) sites. The two species were recorded together at five sites. Interestingly, 16 of the 19 records of S. crassicaudata for the MLS prior to this survey were from one of three sites sampled

within the MLS during the Stony Deserts Survey (Brandle 1998). This was in Atriplex spongiosa (Pop Saltbush), Neobassia proceriflora (Desert Glasswort) Low Very Open Shrubland on clay loam soil on a clay plain. Only one of the 2008 survey sites (KES00101), which was also one of the five sites where both dunnart species were recorded, was located in a similar landform element (Table 25).

Table 25. Presence of Sminthopsis species by landform element at Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey sites.

Landform Element Total Sites No. of sites at which S. crassicaudata present

No. of sites at which S. macroura present

Dune/consolidated dune 8 1 2 Dune crest 3 1 Swale 6 2 2 Interdune corridor 1 Sandy plain 3 1 Plain (inc undulating plain) 1 1 1 Stony plain 2 Flood out 3 Playa/pan 4 3 3 Swamp 1 1 Total Sites 32 8 13

Lagomorpha (Rabbits, hares and relatives) It appears that Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) occurs in relatively low numbers within the MLS. Based on data from earlier surveys it would seem this has been the case for some time. Certainly the scarcity of records, even prior to the outbreak of Calici Virus or Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in the mid-1990s suggests this. However, this is highly unlikely. At that time, observations in the Simpson Desert to the west, showed a dramatic crash in rabbit numbers. Badman (1989) stated that Rabbits had adapted particularly well to the sandhill country of the Cooper Creek area, and described in detail the devastating effect on the vegetation of the severe plagues that have occurred. The lack of records within the MLS more likely reflects the lack of effort in recording rabbits and other species that were simply not caught

Figure 83. Few Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were observed during this survey, though their burrows and dung were regularly detected (Photo: T. Naismith).

in traps during the earlier visits to the MLS. Only two of the 20 records (including 17 from the 2008 survey) were observations of live animals. The remainder were mainly of droppings or burrows. Rabbits have contributed significantly to the total grazing pressure of the region over the last century. Although significant populations survive in some areas of the Innamincka Regional Reserve and have recolonised sand dune areas in the reserve since the initial impact of RHD, rabbit numbers within the arid and semi-arid parts of Australia are being maintained at levels of 70% to 80% below those prior to the virus outbreak (DEHAA 1998). Macropodidae (Kangaroos, wallabies and tree-kangaroos) Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo) is the only macropod species known to currently inhabit the north-east of South Australia, where it is generally uncommon (Kemper 1990). It was poorly recorded in previous surveys in this part of the state. Although scats and tracks were observed, no kangaroos were sighted during the Cooper Creek Environmental Association Survey (Mollenmans et al. 1984), whilst the Coongie Lakes Survey recorded sighting only two (Reid and Gillen 1988). Tracks were recorded at two survey sites during the 2008 survey, but it was the opportunistic records collected at this time which provided the majority (22 of 27) of all records for the species in the MLS, including sightings of four separate small groups of between two and six animals.

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Monotremata (Platypus and echidnas) Of the three surviving species of monotremes, only Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) is capable of living in the central Australian arid zone, where even it is uncommon and rarely seen. Although found in a wide variety of habitats, in arid regions it appears to favour stony ground or hilly country, probably as these areas provide better opportunities for escaping extreme temperatures. With the same objective, its activity becomes more

nocturnal, further reducing potential for it being recorded by sighting. Within the MLS its presence was confirmed by one observation of its characteristic and untidy diggings in a termite mound at survey site BLO00601. This apparent scarcity (based on signs of activity) may be misleading, as tracks and even diggings do not persist as well in sandy habitats (such as the dunefield which dominates the MLS) as they do in harder ground.

Rodentia (Rodents) Six of the 24 mammal species recorded for the MLS were rodents, but these species account for 53.8% of all mammal records for the area (Table 26). Five of these are native species. The single introduced species is Mus musculus (House Mouse). The native species include Pseudomys desertor (Desert Mouse) which was first recorded in the MLS during this survey, with 15 records across 10 (31%) of the 32 survey sites. That it was not recorded earlier may reflect variations in habitat at sites selected between earlier sampling and the 2008 survey. Such variation in capture rate is most likely the result of the dramatic fluctuations in population size and area of distribution which are characteristic of many Australian arid zone rodent species in response to rainfall events and subsequent prolonged periods of drought. It is generally less frequently encountered than other arid zone rodents as the most important habitat feature for P. desertor is dense groundcover. It is therefore more prone to disturbance by fire and heavy grazing than other arid zone rodent species. Due to the previous lack of captures of this species (despite considerable trapping effort) in the region, P. desertor had been thought to be possibly absent from the north-east of South Australia (Read et al. 1999) until 2002 when a pregnant female specimen was trapped on the Koonchera Dune (R. Brandle, pers comm, 2010). A 10 year monitoring program begun in 1993 in adjacent south-west Queensland first recorded P. desertor in 1998 (Moseby et al. 2006). All records of this species in this region have followed the reduction in rabbit numbers resulting from the effect of RHD in the mid-1990s.

Figure 84. The first records of Desert Mouse (Pseudomys desertor) in the Marqualpie Land System were collected during this survey (Photo: A. Robinson). The most frequently recorded mammal species within the MLS was Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse), which accounted for 117 of the 330 (35%) mammal records at sample sites during the 2008 survey, and 191 of 584 (32.7%) of all mammal records for the area. If the majority of the more than 50 small mammal records from the 2008 survey incorrectly attributed to P. bolami (mentioned earlier in this report) were actually P. hermannsburgensis (which is likely), and were re-included in this analysis, then P. hermannsburgensis would account for an even greater portion (up to 44%). It was also recorded at all 10 sites sampled during the Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Fauna Monitoring Program (1989-92), accounting for 57 of the 85 (67%) captures of the five species of small mammals trapped during that survey.

Table 26. Summary of rodent species records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre 2008 2008 Survey Total Records Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse 74 117 191 Mus musculus * House Mouse 22 56 78 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse 15 15 Leggadina forresti Forrest’s Mouse 5 8 13 Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse 7 5 12 Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) 3 2 5 Total 111 203 314 Total as % of all records 53.8% 61.5% 53.8%

Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species.

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It is widely distributed over much of the arid and semi-arid parts of central, southern and western Australia and is a common species on both sandy and heavier soils. As these figures indicate it is also one of many species of small arid mammals which are subject to rapid increase in numbers and subsequent crashes following significant rainfall, such as that experienced in the MLS in June 2008 (see below). Leggadina forresti (Forrest’s Mouse) is generally sparsely distributed and prefers heavier soil with tussock grasses or low chenopod shrubs. Four specimens were recorded at one site during the Stony Deserts Survey (Brandle 1998) at a typical site for the species, on a clay plain vegetated by a low very open shrubland of Atriplex spongiosa (Pop Saltbush) and Neobassia proceriflora (Desert Glasswort). One or two specimens were recorded at six sites during the 2008 survey. All but one site was also on clay soils in low vegetation including Aristida contorta (Curly Wire-grass), Sclerolaena lanicuspis (Spinach Bindyi) and Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly Love-grass). The remaining site was in Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex) on a sand dune crest, but it was adjacent to a clay pan. Although occasionally locally plentiful in response to rainfall, it does not appear to reach the high numbers or plague proportions which many other arid rodent species are capable of (Reid 2008), probably due to its solitary existence which is presumably maintained by aggressive territorial behaviour.

Figure 85. Forrest’s Mouse (Leggadina forresti) were recorded at six sites during the 2008 survey, mostly on clay soils with tussock grasses and low chenopod shrubs (Photo: P. Canty). The remaining two native rodent species are known to be amongst those which can plague in response to favourable conditions brought on by extreme rainfall events, but at this stage evidence of their presence within the MLS is largely reliant on a small number of SA Museum records. Despite considerable trapping effort during several surveys, less than a handful of other records have been obtained. This survey recorded only one capture of Notomys alexis (Spinifex Hopping-mouse) and four other records of tracks or burrows. Two Rattus villosissimus (Long-haired Rat) were caught at KEN00601, the only site of 32 which was in a swamp. This situation is to be expected for Rattus villosissimus, as it is known to retreat to such

mesic locations and exist in low numbers during drought periods. Suitable refuge locations for this species would be considered unrepresentative or peripheral to the dunefield that dominates the MLS.

Figure 86. Two Long-haired Rats (Rattus villosissimus) were captured in a swamp at site KEN00601 (Photo: A. Robinson). The high numbers (relative to Notomys alexis) of two other irruptive rodent species, Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse) and Mus musculus (House Mouse), encountered during the 2008 survey may be explained by their different reproductive potentials. Mus musculus tends to become abundant sooner after rain than the native mice (Breed and Ford 2007). Presumably in this case this also applies to Pseudomys hermannsburgensis. The MLS area experienced a significant rainfall event in June 2008 (three months prior to the survey), with a smaller follow up fall in August, providing suitable conditions for a major breeding response by these species. At Innamincka, to the south, there was 35.8mm on one day in June and 9.6mm on one day in August. To the north, at Cordillo Downs, the corresponding figures were 76.2mm and 7.2mm. Possibly the two species with the highest reproductive potential monopolised the increased food resources before Notomys alexis could respond. It is also worth considering that within the MLS Notomys alexis is at the eastern extreme of its distribution where there is some evidence of a range contraction (Breed 2008).

Figure 87. Only a single Spinifex Hopping-mouse (Notomys alexis) was captured on the 2008 survey, though tracks or burrows were observed at four other locations (Photo: A. Robinson).

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The second most frequently recorded mammal species during this survey, after P. hermannsburgensis, was the introduced Mus musculus (House Mouse). It accounted for 56 of the 330 (17%) mammal records at sites and was recorded at 18 of the 32 survey sites. It is common and widespread throughout all but the tropical north of the continent. Well known for periodic plagues in agricultural lands, it also has the ability to respond to rainfall events and subsequent food flushes in the arid zone in the same manner as native rodent species, as is evident from the numbers recorded by the 2008 survey. Significant Species None of the 24 mammal species recorded for the MLS has any threat classification under national or South Australian State legislation. Most have broad distributions in appropriate habitats throughout the arid zone, with many extending into other parts of the country. There are two possible exceptions to this lack of outstanding characteristics amongst the MLS mammal species. Planigale ingrami (Long-tailed Planigale) has a fragmented distribution with a possibly isolated population in north-east SA. Rattus villosissimus (Long-haired Rat) is an infrequently irruptive species with a reputation for massive population increases over large areas when conditions are favourable, but exists in relatively small mesic refuge areas between these spectacular events.

Figure 88. The Long-tailed Planigale (Planigale ingrami) recorded at three sites in the Marqualpie Land System in 2008 are a part of a possibly isolated population of this species in north-east SA (Photo: A. Robinson). Biogeography All of the 24 mammal species recorded from the MLS have broad distributions in appropriate habitats throughout the Eyrean bioregion (which extends over the arid and semi-arid lands covering the majority of the continent), but many extend significantly into other biogeographic zones. They can be loosely divided into four groups: Eyrean specialists (11 species), widespread generalists (seven species), Eyrean/ Bassian species (four species) and Eyrean/Torresian (two species) (Table 27).

Eleven species are exclusively arid adapted Eyrean bioregion specialists. One of these is the introduced Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel), internationally known as a desert specialist. The feral camels in the Australian arid lands are the only currently existing wild populations of this species. The native species in this group consist of all five native rodents and three of five dasyurid species recorded for the MLS, plus Scotorepens balstoni (Inland Broad-nosed Bat) and Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo). Seven other species are widely distributed across all three major biogeographic zones. Three of these are introduced: Bos taurus (Cattle) which exists as domestic stock over much of the country, with isolated feral populations in some areas; Felis catus (Feral Cat) which is common over the whole continent including Tasmania and many larger off-shore islands; and Mus musculus (House Mouse) which is ubiquitous throughout the arid and temperate regions, but in the tropical north appears to exist only around larger human population centres. Canis lupus dingo (Dingo) inhabited the whole country except Tasmania prior to European settlement, but is now excluded from most of the Bassian (temperate) biogeographic zone in the south-west and south-east of the continent. The native species in this group are two bats, Chalinolobus gouldii (Gould’s Wattled Bat) and Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat), and Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna). Four species have distributions extending across the Eyrean (arid) and Bassian (temperate) biogeographic zones. These include two introduced species that share a strong predator/prey relationship, in that it has been suggested that the distribution of Vulpes vulpes (Fox) is largely dependent on the availability of Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) as their principle prey. Native species in this group are Tadarida australis (White-striped Freetail-bat) and Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Fat-tailed Dunnart).

Figure 89. The Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), which was recorded at eight sites in 2008, has a distribution extending across arid and temperate Australia (Photo: P. Canty).

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Figure 90. The Little Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens greyii) was detected at nine sites in 2008 using Anabat call recording equipment. It is a species that occurs in both arid and tropical areas of Australia (Photo: SA Museum). The remaining two species are found in both Eyrean (arid) and Torresian (tropical) parts of the continent. They are Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Bat) and Planigale ingrami (Long-tailed Planigale).

Table 27. Biogeographical affinities of the mammal species recorded within the Marqualpie Land System.

Biogeographical Affinities Species Name Common Name Eyrean

specialists Widespread generalists

Eyrean/Bassian species

Eyrean/Torresian species

Bos taurus * Cattle (European Cattle) X

Camelus dromedarius * One-humped Camel (Dromedary, Arabian Camel) X

Canis lupus dingo Dingo X Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat X Felis catus * Cat (Feral Cat) X Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse X Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo X Mus musculus * House Mouse X Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui X Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse X Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat X Oryctolagus cuniculus * Rabbit (European Rabbit) X

Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale (Paucident Planigale) X

Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale X

Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Mouse) X

Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse X

Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) X Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat X Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat X Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart X Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart X Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna X Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat X Vulpes vulpes * Fox (Red Fox) X

* Feral or introduced species

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BIRDS D. Armstrong1

1 Science Resource Centre, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001.

Background The literature contains no specific publication on any Marqualpie Land System (MLS) vertebrate wildlife group. However, there are a variety of publications relating to the north-east of South Australia, particularly the Cooper Creek area, containing significant sections on the birds of the area, e.g. Cox and Pedler (1977), Foale (1982), Mollenmans et al. (1984), Reid (1984), Reid and Gillen (1988), Badman (1989), Reid et al. (1990), Badman (1991), Gillen and Drewien (1993) and Reid (2000). These authors repeatedly emphasise the nomadic and irruptive nature of many of the bird species recorded throughout arid Australia, as a response to the availability of water in ephemeral lakes and streams following localised heavy rainfall and flooding events. This applies not just to water dependant species, such as ducks, pelicans and ibis etc., but also to many of the species inhabiting woodland and other terrestrial habitats. The MLS is adjacent the north-east boundary of the Coongie Lakes ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2010). This proximity to one of South Australia’s, and arid Australia’s, most significant waterbird and general arid bird species refuge areas has a significant effect on the number and variety of species which have been recorded within the MLS. Summary of Records Available Prior to 2008 Prior to this survey of the MLS during September 2008, a total of 672 records from a variety of sources, representing 79 bird species, were available for the area (Table 28 and Appendix 9). These sources included two earlier DENR surveys which had a portion of their sampling effort within the MLS. These were:- • BS3 – Cooper Creek Environmental Association

Survey (1983): 13 sites. Due to the extreme variability in sampling effort and difficulty in identifying site boundaries this is simply the number of locations for which bird records were available.

• BS69 – Stony Deserts Survey (1994-97): 3 sites.

The records of Birds Australia also made a significant contribution to this earlier data, providing 168 records of 57 species. This is the most species records available from these earlier sources, including 26 that were not listed by any of the others. The remaining four sources - the SA Museum specimen collection; South Australian Ornithologists Association newsletters; Birds SA records; and general opportunistic sightings in the Biological Database of SA (BDBSA) - provided much smaller quantities of records, but all made a significant contribution in that they each contained one species not available from the other sources, including the 2008 survey. Unfortunately some data sources, in particular Birds Australia, only provide information regarding the species observed and do not include the number of each individual species present. For the purposes of this report, where a species database record did not include the number of individuals recorded, it was assumed that a single bird was observed. Therefore these records are not always directly comparable to DENR data and may under-represent the number of individuals observed. Not included in the above summary (Table 28) were the 16 bird species recorded within the MLS across the 10 sites sampled during the Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Faunal Monitoring Program (Gillen and Reid 1990). Bird records were only collected during one (in January 1989) of four visits to these sites. Unlike site data from other surveys there is no indication of the number of birds observed, only those present. These records were incidental to the primary purpose of that survey, which focused on the quantifiable trapping results for reptiles and mammals. All 16 bird species were included amongst the data obtained from other sources available for the MLS. The majority were frequently observed common species. The one exception and significant species amongst these was Ardeotis australis (Australian Bustard), which was recorded at three of the 10 sites.

Table 28. Summary of the Marqualpie Land System bird records collected prior to 2008 and their sources.

Source General OP

Birds Aust SAOA Birds

SA SA

Museum Cooper

Creek (BS3) Stony Deserts

(BS69) Total

Records Records 2 168 12 4 7 171 308 672 Species 1 57 1 1 6 44 27 79


Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey This survey recorded 72 species at survey sites and 104 species opportunistically. Thirty four of the opportunistic species were not recorded at sites. All but two of the species recorded at survey sites, Pomatostomus superciliosus (White-browed Babbler) and Accipiter cirrocephalus (Collared Sparrowhawk), were also recorded opportunistically. This resulted in

a total of 106 species recorded during this survey (Table 29 and Appendices 10 and 11), of which 40 were new records for the MLS (Appendix 12). The distribution of survey sites where birds have been sampled on this and earlier surveys is shown in Figure 91.

Table 29. Summary of bird records collected during the Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey.

Site Records Opportunistic Sightings Total Records Records 16,018 11,401 27,419 Species 72 104 106

Figure 91. Location of survey sites where birds have been sampled in the Marqualpie Land System. Site Based Records The average number of individuals of the 72 bird species recorded at sites was 222.5. This was heavily biased by the two most abundant species, Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) and, to a lesser extent, Artamus personatus (Masked Woodswallow), which together provided the vast majority of site records (88%). If these species are removed from calculations, the average number of records per species drops to 27.3. Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) was clearly the most abundant and frequently recorded species, with 12,365 of the 16,018 (77%) records at

sites. Even these figures are likely to be an under-estimate as the sheer abundance of this species made accurate counts extremely difficult. Artamus personatus (Masked Woodswallow) had the second most records, with 1,740 (10.9%), but was recorded at fewer sites. In fact, the 13 species which were recorded at half (16 of 32) or more sites, accounted for 15,262 (95.3%) of all 16,018 bird records at survey sites (Table 30 and Appendix 13). However, this is again heavily biased due to the inclusion of the two numerous flocking species

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mentioned previously. If they are excluded the other 11 species recorded at 16 or more sites still account for 1,157 of the remaining 1,913 (60.5%) of records at sites (Table 30).

Figure 92. Crimson Chats (Epthianura tricolor) were one of the most regularly encountered bird species on the 2008 survey, being recorded at all but one of the 32 sites (Photo: A. Clarke). Figure 93. The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) was the most frequently recorded raptor species on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. Canty).

Table 30. Most frequently recorded bird species at Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey sites.

Species Name Common Name Sites Records Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar 31 12,365 Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat 31 228 Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch 23 150 Milvus migrans Black Kite 22 62 Lalage sueurii White-winged Triller 21 77 Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon 21 56 Eolophus roseicapillus Galah 20 101 Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow 20 80 Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow 19 1,740 Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove 18 128 Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella 17 79 Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel 16 161 Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater 16 35 TOTAL 32 15,262

Two species were recorded at 31 of 32 sites (Table 30 and Figure 95). These were the highly abundant Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) and the far less numerous, but obviously just as widespread, Epthianura tricolor (Crimson Chat). At the other end of the scale, 11 species were recorded at only one site (Figure 95) and six of these by an observation of a single bird. In fact 33 (46%), almost half of the 72 species recorded at sites, were recorded at three or less of the 32 sites. Details of the number of records and the number of sites at which species were recorded during this survey are provided in Appendices 10 and 11.

Figure 94. Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) were recorded at 17 sites on this survey (Photo: P. Canty).

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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Number of Sites

Num

ber o

f Spe

cies

Figure 95. Site diversity of bird species for the 2008 survey. The average number of bird species recorded per survey site was 16.6. The highest were 33 species at MON00201 and 31 species at MON00401 (Figure 96), identical habitats about 2.5 kilometres apart of Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low Woodland over Sclerolaena bicornis var. bicornis (Goat-head Bindyi) and Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly Love-grass) on clay flood-outs. The lowest was seven species at KEN00701 (Figure 96) on a sand dune vegetated with Zygochloa paradoxa (Sandhill Cane-grass) and Crotalaria eremaea ssp. eremaea (Downy Loose-

flowered Rattle-pod) Open Hummock Grassland over Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex). These extremes agree with the assessment of Reid and Gillen (1988) who described five main habitat types within the nearby Coongie Lakes Study area, indicating that after Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red-gum) dominated riparian woodlands along the major creeklines (which do not occur within the MLS), the Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Woodland on floodplain areas support the highest diversity of bird species, whilst the dunefields have the lowest.

0

1

2

3

4

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33

Number of Species

Num

ber o

f Site

s

Figure 96. Bird species diversity at sites for the 2008 survey. 72


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Opportunistic Sighting Records Records collected opportunistically during this survey made a highly valuable and significant contribution to the overall information available on the birds of the MLS. In total 11,401 opportunistic records were obtained of 104 species. This represents 41.6% of all birds observed throughout the survey and all but two of the species observed at survey quadrats. This total is heavily biased towards Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) (as it is for survey sites) by the presence of large flocks which provided 6,550 or 57% of all opportunistic bird sightings. Thirty four of the 106 bird species recorded for the MLS were only recorded opportunistically (Table 31). These included 19 of the 40 species which were first recorded within the MLS during this survey (Appendix 12). Twenty two of the 34 species only recorded opportunistically were aquatic or species usually encountered in the vicinity of water, as defined by Reid et al. (1990). This is the majority of the 28

species recorded for the MLS which fit into this category (Appendix 14). As the location of survey quadrats was based on terrestrial vegetation association types and the traplines established to record terrestrial vertebrate species, many water-based bird species are unlikely to have been recorded at survey sites except by observations of them flying overhead. Opportunistic observations along creeklines and in flooded swales were therefore clearly important for these species. All five of the SA conservation rated bird species recorded by the survey were recorded opportunistically and three of these were only recorded in this manner. Seventeen of 22 MLS records available from all sources for the Vulnerable Ardeotis australis (Australian Bustard), 10 of 12 for the Vulnerable Grus rubicunda (Brolga) and the only record, one sighting of 14, of the Rare Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) were obtained opportunistically during the survey.

Table 31. Frequency and South Australian conservation status of bird species only recorded opportunistically during the 2008 survey (* = species first recorded for the MLS during this survey).

Species Name Common Name SA Status OP Records Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill 1

Acrocephalus australis * Australian Reed Warbler, (Clamorous Reed-Warbler) 2

Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar 3 Anas gracilis Grey Teal 119 Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck 1 Aphelocephala nigricincta * Banded Whiteface 4 Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V 17 Aythya australis * Hardhead (White-eyed Duck) 35 Charadrius australis Inland Dotterel 24 Charadrius ruficapillus * Red-capped Plover 12 Circus approximans * Swamp Harrier 1 Coracina novaehollandiae * Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 Dendrocygna eytoni * Plumed Whistling-Duck 60 Dicaeum hirundinaceum * Mistletoebird 6 Erythrogonys cinctus * Red-kneed Dotterel 44 Falco subniger * Black Falcon 1 Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove 2 Grus rubicunda Brolga V 10 Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle 4 Himantopus himantopus * Black-winged Stilt 500 Malacorhynchus membranaceus Pink-eared Duck 298 Nycticorax caledonicus * Nankeen Night Heron 1 Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill 9 Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill 1 Plegadis falcinellus * Glossy Ibis R 14 Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe 2 Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red-necked Avocet 395 Rhipidura albiscapa * Grey Fantail 1 Tachybaptus novaehollandiae * Australasian Grebe, (Little Grebe) 2 Threskiornis spinicollis * Straw-necked Ibis 5 Tribonyx ventralis Black-tailed Native-hen 602 Tringa nebularia * Common Greenshank 2 Tyto javanica * Eastern Barn Owl 1 Vanellus miles * Masked Lapwing 2

SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). V = vulnerable: R = rare.


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Significance of Data Collected Prior to the 2008 Survey There were 672 records of 79 bird species known for the MLS prior to this survey. Thirteen of these species were not recorded during the 2008 survey (Table 32). Only one or two records represent these 13 species, two have a threatened status within South Australia. These are Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) and Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged Parrot), both rated Rare and both with single Birds Australia records within the MLS. In total, nine of

these 13 species are known only from Birds Australia records, one from the Cooper Creek Environmental Association Survey, one from the Stony Deserts Survey, one from the former DENR Opportunistic Sightings database records, and one (presumably) from both the Cooper Creek EA Survey and the specimen records of the South Australian Museum. It is probable that this last species record, Mirafra javanica (Horsfield's Bushlark), is a duplication, but unfortunately there is insufficient information associated with either of the two records to be certain.

Table 32. Sources of records for bird species recorded for the Marqualpie Land System but not encountered during the 2008 Survey.

Species Name Common Name SA Status

General OP

Birds Aust

SA Museum

Cooper Creek

Stony Deserts Total

Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill 1 1 Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian Darter R 1 1 Aprosmictus erythropterus Red-winged Parrot R 1 1 Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret 2 2 Ashbyia lovensis Gibberbird 1 1 Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper 1 1 Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater 1 1 Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin 1 1 Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter 1 1 Mirafra javanica Horsfield's Bushlark 1 1 2 Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook 2 2 Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican 1 1 Purnella albifrons White-fronted Honeyeater 2 2 Total Records 2 10 1 2 2 17 Total Species 1 9 1 2 1 13

SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). R = rare. Discussion of Combined Records As stated above, 13 bird species recorded within the MLS from earlier sources were not recorded during this survey. When added to the 106 species recorded during the 2008 survey, this produces a total of 119 bird species recorded in the MLS. This compares favourably with the species counts for often larger and generally more habitat diverse areas of north-eastern South Australia. May (1986) recorded 177 species over eight years on Innamincka Station. During three visits to the north-east Cox and Pedler (1977) recorded 146 species. During the Coongie Lakes Survey from November 1986 to September 1987 Reid (1988) observed 169 bird species. Reid (1988) also summarised that there had been 205 bird species recorded in the section of the north-east bounded on the west by the Diamantina River and Birdsville Track, in the north and east by the Queensland border and south to the bottom of the Strzelecki Desert, and added that the region has a higher bird species diversity than any other truly arid region in Australia. The MLS is adjacent to the north-east boundary of the Coongie Lakes Wetlands. Proclaimed in 1987, it is currently one of five ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention in South

Australia (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2010). The importance of the proximity of these wetlands, and indeed the remainder of the Cooper and Diamantina Creek systems, to the MLS should not be under-estimated. They are a major bird refuge area within the arid zone and in times of flood are nationally important waterbird breeding areas. The drainage lines also provide critical woodland and other habitat types which shelter a wide variety of other bird species, many of which disperse into surrounding areas, such as the MLS, when conditions are suitable. Significant Species Seven of the bird species recorded for the MLS have conservation ratings within South Australia, but none are listed as threatened nationally (Table 33). Two species are rated Vulnerable, whilst the remaining five species are rated as Rare in the state. Two of the Rare species, Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) and Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis), were first recorded within the MLS during this survey. Two other species, considered Rare in SA, Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) and Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged Parrot), were not recorded during this survey, and are included on the basis of single Birds Australia records from 1998 and 2001 respectively.


Table 33. Bird species of conservation significance recorded within the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name SA Status

Birds Aust

Della & Marqualpie

(Sites)

Cooper Creek (Sites)

Marqualpie Land System

(Sites)

Marqualpie Land System

(OP)

Total Records

Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V 2 3 17 22 Grus rubicunda Brolga V 2 10 12 Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian Darter R 1 1 Aprosmictus erythropterus Red-winged Parrot R 1 1 Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon R 1 1 2 Phaps histrionica Flock Bronzewing R 1 27 7 35 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis R 14 14 Total Number Observed 5 3 2 28 49 87

SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). V = vulnerable; R = rare. Ardeotis australis (Australian Bustard) (SA:V) There were two individual birds observed within the MLS in 1983 (Mollenmans et al. 1984). The Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Faunal Monitoring Program (Gillen and Reid 1990) recorded the presence of this species at three of 10 sample sites. This survey recorded opportunistic sightings of a total of 17 birds. The majority of these sightings were of single birds, but one group of four and another of three (an adult and two immature birds) were also seen. Previously widespread and far more abundant than at present, this species is now largely absent from the settled south-west and south-east of the continent. It is most commonly observed on grassy flats. In north-east South Australia it is generally uncommon but records are widespread. It is nomadic or mobile in response to rainfall, creating localised increases in numbers.

Figure 97. A total of 17 individuals of the Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) were recorded during the 2008 survey (Photo: L. Pedler). Grus rubicunda (Brolga) (SA:V) Records of this species within the MLS consist of one record of a pair during 1983 (Mollenmans et al. 1984), and five observations of two birds during this survey, although four of these are most likely of the same two birds observed within a couple of kilometres on separate days.

Generally uncommon but widespread in north-eastern South Australia, Grus rubicunda (Brolga) is usually associated with water. Its presence within the MLS during this survey most likely resulted from dispersal into the area to take advantage of localized flooding following recent heavy rains. The observations of a pair of birds on four occasions were in the general area of the intersection of the Candradecka Creek and the Keleary Track, where a high proportion of other waterbird observations were made. This species breeds at many of the artesian bores throughout the Lake Eyre Basin (Badman 1987). It is most frequently seen in pairs, but large accumulations do occur, particularly as floodwaters recede, including 26 on Lake Apanburra in December 1988 (Reid 2000) and over 150 at Lake Goyder in September 1982 (Badman 1989). Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) (SA:R) There is a single 1998 Birds Australia record of this species from the south-east corner of the MLS near Policeman Dam on the Cordillo Road. The populations of Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) along the Cooper Creek are significant within South Australia, as it is the only area in the state besides the Murray River and Lower Lakes where it can be encountered in good numbers (Mollenmans et al. 1984). It is usually seen in small numbers at large waterholes, but occasionally up to 100 or more congregate on floodwaters and at lakes (Badman 1989). Gillen and Drewien (1993) considered it one of the most frequently seen of the 47 waterbird species recorded during their survey of the Kanowana Wetlands. Reid (2000) confirmed small numbers of up to 25 pairs nesting at several locations in the Coongie Lakes and Lake Goyder areas 50 kilometres west of the MLS during 1989-90. The single Birds Australia record within the MLS is most probably of a bird originating from the lakes, which has dispersed to the survey area following substantial local rainfall.

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Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged Parrot) (SA:R) Within the MLS there is a single Birds Australia record for Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged Parrot) from August 2001, observed along Dripie Creek on the Innamincka to Cordillo Downs Road. The previous most recent records from the area were obtained by the Hall Expedition, which collected a specimen on Cordillo Downs in 1965, and observed another near Innamincka. It was once a regular visitor to the upper Cooper Creek and extreme north-east of South Australia, sometimes occurring in moderately large numbers, but appears to have declined during the 1930s (Badman 1989). Phaps histrionica (Flock Bronzewing) (SA:R) Prior to this survey there was only a single 2003 Birds Australia record from the eastern side of the MLS on the Cordillo Downs road near the Queensland border. However, they were reasonably frequently encountered during this survey, with 27 individuals recorded from 5 sites, although 22 of these were from one observation of a small flock at site KEN00201. Another seven were seen across three opportunistic sightings. Phaps histrionica (Flock Bronzewing) once occurred in flocks of hundreds of thousands across much of north-eastern South Australia, south-western Queensland and the Barkley Tableland of the Northern Territory (Badman 1991), but suffered a severe decline from the 1920s. As a colonial-breeding ground-nesting species it is particularly susceptible to habitat destruction and breeding interruption from livestock trampling or fire (McAllan 1996), as well as predation by foxes and feral cats. Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) (SA:R) The only records of this species within the MLS are one site record during this survey at site BLO00201, and one opportunistic record, of the same bird flying into this site. Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) is one of the rarest of Australian raptors. It is generally regarded as rare in the north-east of South Australia, but is occasionally encountered along the Cooper and Strzelecki Creeks, where it is known to breed (Badman 1989) and is likely to be a stronghold for the species (Reid and Gillen 1988). The rarity of this species can be gauged from the low number of observations collected by experienced ornithologists in the north-east of the state during extensive periods in the area. Reid and Gillen (1988) made only three observations during the 11 months of the extensive Coongie Lakes Study. Mollenmans et al. (1984) recorded it twice during the Cooper Creek Environmental Association Biological Survey, whilst Badman (1989) mentions only a handful of records (from several sources over 25 years) for the north-east.

Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) (SA:R) The only record of this species within the MLS is the single opportunistic observation made during this survey of a group of 14 standing in water on Candradecka Creek. It is a nomadic and irruptive species, which is generally uncommon and irregular in occurrence along the Cooper Creek system (Mollenmans et al. 1984, Badman 1989). The Glossy Ibis populations on the Cooper Creek are of state significance (Reid and Gillen 1988). Reid (2000) reported 200-300 nests in the Coongie Lakes district in December 1989 and a highest count of 140 birds in one location there. The birds seen within the MLS during this survey had most likely dispersed from this area some 50-60 kilometres to the west to take advantage of suitable conditions provided by heavy localised rainfall. JAMBA/CAMBA Species The Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) signed in 1974 and the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) formalised in 1988, were established to provide for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitat. At least 27 bird species listed in these agreements occur within the Coongie Lakes ‘Wetland of International Importance’ adjacent to the south-west of the MLS (Gillen and Drewien 1993). Most are wader species, which are non-breeding summer visitors to Australia. This survey, which provided the majority of the available data, probably occurred prior to the annual arrival of many of these species from their northern hemisphere breeding sites, although small numbers of some species do over-winter in Australia. It is also unlikely, given the difficulty in accessing much of the area during wet periods, that earlier record collectors were present in the MLS at the right time of year, and in the presence of sufficient surface water, to record these species if present. However, four bird species listed under these agreements are amongst those recorded for the MLS (Table 34). These are: • Ardea modesta (Eastern Great Egret) - two Birds

Australia records from July 1988 and July 1999. • Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) - a single

opportunistic observation of 14 birds during this survey, as described above.

• Tringa nebularia (Common Greenshank) - single opportunistic record of two birds during this survey. This is one of the most likely wader species to remain in the area over winter (Badman 1991).

• Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-eater) - total of 82 records from most available sources, including Birds Australia, Mollenmans et al. (1984), Brandle (1998) and the 2008 survey’s opportunistic observations and records at nine of the 32 survey sites.


Table 34. Bird species recorded within the MLS that are listed under the JAMBA or CAMBA agreements.

Species Common Name JAMBA CAMBA Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret X X Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis X Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank X X Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater X

Figure 98. The Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is a species listed under the JAMBA agreement that has been regularly recorded in the Marqualpie Land System (Photo: D. Hopton). Isolated Sub-species Psephotus haematonotus caeruleus is a very pale sub-species of the Red-rumped Parrot which is endemic to the upper parts of the Cooper and Strzelecki Creeks, where it is very common (Badman et al. 1991). This appears to be an isolated population with no evidence of integration in the wild (Higgins 1999). Much paler sub-species of several other species also occur in the Lake Eyre Basin in South Australia. Those recorded within the MLS are Ninox novaeseelandiae (Southern Boobook), Rhipidura albiscapa (Grey Fantail) and Lichenostomus penicillatus (White-plumed Honeyeater) (Badman 1991). Habitat Preferences In a comprehensive summary of the birds of north-east South Australia Reid et al. (1990) list 225 bird species for that part of the state, along with notations on habitat preference, relative abundance, breeding status and mobility. Most of these details are not available

for the MLS, which is a small portion of the region described. However, habitat preference is consistent enough to be similarly applied to the MLS birds (Table 35). Reid and Gillen (1998) describe five main habitat types within the area of their Coongie Lakes Study, to the west of the MLS, which are generally applicable to the extended region of the north-east of the state. These are: • River Red Gum dominated riparian woodlands, • Coolibah woodlands adjacent to River Red Gum

woodlands or on floodplains, • shrublands on floodplains, • open low herblands on floodplains, and • dunefields. With the exception of the River Red Gum Woodland (which is not present in the MLS) these habitat types are similar to the seven Floristic Vegetation Communities described in the Vegetation chapter of this report. The riparian woodlands are the preferred habitat for the majority of dryland birds, whilst the wetlands associated with the river systems of the north-east (the Cooper Creek and Diamantina-Warburton Creek systems) support the great majority of the waterbirds (Reid et al. 1990). Although these River Red Gum riparian woodlands and wetlands do not occur within the MLS, they do have a highly significant effect on the bird species which have been recorded there. Species diversity and abundance declines rapidly with distance from major channels and fringing woodlands (Reid 1984). Close to half of bird species inhabiting Australian deserts depend on the availability of free water (Reid 1990). Very few species are restricted to dunefields, which is the dominant habitat within the MLS. However, the proximity to the major drainage systems (which act as a refuge for many bird species), the dispersive and irruptive capabilities of many arid and wetland species and localised flooding following heavy rains prior to the 2008 survey all contribute to the species recorded for the MLS. These points are illustrated by a comparison of the habitat preferences of the 225 bird species recorded within north-eastern South Australia (Reid et al. 1990) and the 119 recorded for the MLS (Table 35).

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Table 35. Habitat preferences for bird species recorded within the north-east of South Australia and the Marqualpie Land System.

Habitat Species N-E SA

Species per habitat group -

N-E SA Species MLS

Species per habitat group -

MLS

Proportion of N-E species in

MLS A 81 25

A (G) 1 1 A (O) 1 AO 2 1 AW 2

AQUATIC

87 1

AQUATIC

28 32%

D 2 1 DS 1

DUNEFIELD 3 1

DUNEFIELD 2 67%

G (S) 1 GDO 1 1 GO 3

GIBBER 5 3

GIBBER 4 80%

O 4 OA 3 2 OS 1

OPEN PLAINS 8

OPEN PLAINS 2 25%

P 1 POS 1

PLAYAS 2

PLAYAS 0 0%

S 4 1 S (G) 1 SW 2

SHRUBLAND 7 2

SHRUBLAND 3 43%

U 41 35 U (A) 1 1

U (A,W) 1 1 U (W) 2

UBIQUITOUS

45 2

UBIQUITOUS

39 87%

W 40 21 W (A) 1 1 W (G) 1 1 W (O) 1 1 WDS 3 3 WD 1 1 WS 16 12

WSA 1

WOODLAND

64

1

WOODLAND

41 64%

* (unclear) 4 4 0 0 0% TOTAL 225 225 119 119

Note: Habitat preferences as determined by Reid et al. (1990). A = aquatic or usually in the vicinity of water; D = dunefield; G = gibber and stony tableland; O = open plains and swales; P = playas; S = shrubland (e.g. lignum, chenopod, sandhill wattle); U = ubiquitous or present in a wide range of habitats; W = woodland or tall shrubland, often associated with watercourses or floodplain features, including mulga and gidgee stands; * = habitat specialised or poorly known.

Note: Where two or more letters appear in the habitat column, this indicates the species occurs in several habitats listed in order of significance. Additional habitats in brackets indicate minor occurrence.

Of the 225 bird species recorded from north-east South Australia, 119 (or 53%) have been recorded within the MLS, which is a relatively small part of the region. Although these is some overlap, a division in to nine groups based on the primary habitat preference as determined by Reid et al. (1990) acts as a useful basis for comparison between the two groups of bird species (Table 35). Individual habitat preferences for MLS species are indicated in Appendix 14. When viewed in this way, the three largest groups, accounting for 196 of 225 (87%) of north-east SA species and 108 of 119 (91%) of MLS species, are surface water dependant Aquatic species, Ubiquitous (or widespread habitat generalists) or Woodland species. Amongst these three groups there is

Figure 99. The Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) is associated with wetland habitats (Photo: J. Gillen).

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significant variation in the proportion that each has been recorded in the MLS compared to that for the broader region. Of the north-east species, the majority of ubiquitous species (39 of the 45 or 87%), two thirds of woodland species (41 of the 64 or 67%) and just under one third of aquatic species (28 of 87 or 32%), are also recorded for the MLS. Many of the aquatic species and some of both the woodland and ubiquitous species are unlikely to be encountered within the MLS, except during or following periods of flood of the nearby main river systems, or following localised heavy rainfall and flooding. Such an event occurred prior to the September 2008 survey. In the area of the MLS, with approximately 150mm average annual rainfall, there was significant rain in June, with a smaller amount in August. At Innamincka, to the south, there was 35.8mm on one day in June and 9.6mm on one day in August. To the north at Cordillo Downs the corresponding figures were 76.2mm and 7.2mm. Local residents indicated that rainfall was even higher in the area between these two locations, within the MLS. This is reflected in the list of 40 species, which were first recorded for the MLS during this survey (Appendix 12). Fifteen of these were aquatic species, whilst a further eight were raptors, which would be expected to be attracted to the area to exploit the increase in prey species diversity and abundance. The three most numerous of these new species, Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honeyeater), Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt) and Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel), were there to exploit different ephemeral food resources resulting from the June rainfall event.

Figure 100. The White-winged Fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus) was recorded at 15 of the 32 sites on this survey in a variety of habitats (Photo: DENR). Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honeyeater) was recorded at 12 of the 32 survey sites, where a total of 51 birds were observed. Another 82 birds were seen across 25 opportunistic sightings distributed throughout the MLS. It is likely that this is the most significant set of observations of this species anywhere in the north-east

of the state, where there are only a few sparsely scattered records (Badman 1989). Most aspects of the ecology of this species are poorly known and have not been studied. It is a nomadic species, which inhabits shrublands and woodlands in arid and semi-arid Australia where it feeds mainly on flowers of Eremophila spp. (Emu-bushes) and eucalypts (Higgins et al. 2001). The most observed in one location was 23 at survey site BLO00101. This was in Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low Woodland on a floodout, where Eremophila bignoniiflora (Bignonia Emu-bush) was relatively abundant and flowering. Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt) is seasonally dispersive or nomadic in response to rainfall. It is generally found in coastal areas in dry summer months before moving inland in response to autumn and winter rains. It feeds on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. One opportunistic observation of approximately 500 birds was made in July 2008 where the Keleary Track crosses the Candradecka Creek, during a preliminary site selection trip for this survey. Several other significant waterbird observations were made at this location during the survey.

Figure 101. The Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps), a species generally associated with woodland or tall shrubland habitats, was recorded at five sites on the 2008 survey, all in woodlands (Photo: D. Hopton). It is an outstanding example of the irruptive and nomadic adaptations of arid zone birds that a species as well known and widespread as Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel) was not one of the 79 bird species recorded within the MLS prior to the 2008 survey. Both Reid (1984) and Badman (1989) considered it generally uncommon in the region, but nomadic and at times plentiful. It is a seed eater, particularly of grasses, which moves in response to rainfall. In some areas, such as north-eastern SA, where it is common in good seasons, it can be almost entirely absent in dry seasons (Higgins 1999). It was observed at 16 of the 32 survey sites with a total of 161 birds seen, from a single bird at three sites to a group of 30 at one site. Another 68 were seen opportunistically in five groups of from five to 35.

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As mentioned earlier, the abundance of Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) at the time of the 2008 survey was staggering, particularly at sites in the vicinity of Bloodwood Bore. There were several abundant grass species present in the area that had mostly set seed, thus providing a plentiful food source for these birds. These grasses included Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly Love-grass), Aristida contorta (Curly Wire-grass), A.

holathera var. holathera (Tall Kerosene Grass), Enneapogon polyphyllus (Leafy Bottle-washers) and Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex). Nearly 12,000 Budgerigars were recorded at these sites, with the observers considering it likely that this was an under-estimate given the difficulty of providing accurate counts of such large and numerous flocks.

Documents

Nantawarrina IPA Vegetation Chapter · Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey MAMMALS D. Armstrong1 Records Available Prior to the 2008 Survey 55 1 Science Resource Centre, Department